THE first ship being built by defence giant BAE Systems in Hampshire for the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has been formally named after the islands’ capital, Port of Spain.

Employees at Portsmouth naval base, including hundreds from Southampton, joined in the celebrations for the event, which is part of a £150m contract to build, test and commission three 90-metre offshore patrol vessels for the tiny island nation.

The contract is an important part of BAE Systems’ move to boost export business in order to strengthen the long-term future of the base and the UK maritime industry’s position in the global market.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, more than 6,300 people in Hampshire rely on the warship building industry, either directly or indirectly, for employment